HOFFMAN, Gerald E. 1938-2016

HOFFMAN, ORNESS, RINEHART

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 4/24/2017 at 20:00:26

Gerald Edward Hoffman, age 78, of Grundy Center, Iowa, was born on June 5, 1938, in LaMoure, ND, the son of Martin and Maria (Orness) Hoffman. When Gerald was a young boy, their family moved to Iowa and settled just outside Boxholm. Gerald graduated from Boxholm High School in 1956 and then attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, studying music.

Gerald married Joyce Rinehart of Ogden, IA, on August 2, 1959, and they were blessed with 4 children - Brenda, Brian, David and Christine. Gerald and Joyce lived in Lanyon, IA, and Ottosen, IA, where he managed the local Farmers Coop. In September of 1972, they moved to Grundy Center where he sold insurance and real estate. He was involved in Lion’s Club, Rotary Club, the Grundy Center Development Corporation and many other volunteer organizations.

Jerry, as his friends knew him, was proud to be a Firefighter. He served as Grundy Center’s Fire Chief for 25 years and on the Iowa Fire Chief’s Association Board and the Governor’s Appointed Fire Service Training Bureau. Jerry was also awarded the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Community Service by Volunteer Firemen and The Roger Mooty Memorial Award in appreciation of many years of service to the Iowa Fire Chief’s Association. He was a very gifted singer and was a member of many choruses’, both as a singer and director. Jerry organized the Men’s Interfaith Chorus and directed it for many years. He also sang at many weddings and other events.

Gerald went to be with his Lord on July 4, 2016, at his home in North Fort Myers, FL, with his family at his side. He is preceded in death by his son, David Hoffman; his parents, Martin and Maria Hoffman and parents-in-law, Forest Rinehart and Mabel Rinehart-Tonsfeldt.

Gerald is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce of Grundy Center; daughter, Brenda Heinz and her husband Tom of Ackley, IA; son, Brian Hoffman of North Fort Myers, FL; daughter-in-law, Beth Hoffman of San Diego, CA; and daughter, Christine Abels and her husband Darrell of North Fort Myers, FL; seven grandchildren, TJ Heinz and his wife Andrea, Josh Hoffman and his wife Brianna, Libby Heinz, Zach Hoffman, Leah Mull, Peter Hoffman and Katie Herrera; one great-grandchild, Cole Heinz; his brother Keith Hoffman and his wife Joyce of Ames, IA; one sister, Elaine Shelton and her husband Denny of Lakeland, FL; and brother-in-law, Royce Rinehart and his wife Teddie of Burlington, IA, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 23 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Parkersburg, IA at 10:30 a.m. with burial in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center immediately following. The Firefighters Honor Guard will be honoring Jerry prior to his service and at the cemetery.

--Redman-Schwartz Funeral Homes (www.redman-schwartz.com)